Friday, December 21, 2007

Mohana Kshetram -Lord Vishnu takes the form of MohiniOne’s difficulties will go away if one goes around the Thiru Mogur Lord just once

Located 10kms East of Madurai off the Madurai Melur Road is the Kaalamegha Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Mogur, . In centuries gone by, this place was identified as being 1 Yojana from ThiruMaalirinCholai (to be seen later in this series) and South of the Elephant rock (Astha Giri).

The huge Astha Giri can be seen even today. It is worth stopping on the highway (Madurai-Madras route) to see this elephant shaped rock that runs quite a distance.

Lord Vishnu takes the form of ‘Mohini’

Once Devas wanted the boon of ‘immortality’. Seeing Vishnu grant Devas their wish, the Asuras too wanted a share of the nectar, leading to a fight between the two. To protect the devas, Lord Vishnu took the form of a ‘Mohini’. Lost in the beauty of the ‘Mohini’, the asuras forgot about the nectar. And thus Vishnu successfully shared the nectar exclusively with the Devas.

Lord Vishnu helped recover the Vedic Scriptures from two Asuras - Madhu and Kaidapan who had stolen it from Brahmma. It was at this place that Brahmma performed daily poojas, directed at Lord Vishnu, as a gesture to thank the Lord for fighting the Asuras and securing back the Vedic Scriptures.

It is said that Brahmma wanted to see the Lord as ‘Narayana’ and not in his Mohini form. Hence, it is said that Lord Vishnu appeared before Brahmma at this place as Kaalamegha Perumal.

A unique sleeping posture - Prarthana Sayanam

At this temple, one can also find the Lord in a Sleeping posture and quite a unique one at that. This posture of the Lord is called ‘Prarthana Sayanam’, where Sridevi and Bhoodevi are seen praying, at the feet of the sleeping Lord. The sleeping Lord is said to be one before he took the Mohini Avataaram.

Kaalamegha Perumal is said to be a close friend of the devotees and is said to be one who provides direction and guides the devotees who come to him for Moksham. Hence he is also referred to as ‘Maarga Bandhu’.

A unique ChakkarathAzhvaar

The ChakkarathAzhvaar at Thiru Moghur temple can be seen with 16 hands and 16 arms. There is an inscription containing 154 letters signifying Hiranya Samhaaram as well as 48 images of different Lords. This is the only Divya Desam with such sacred letters and images inscribed on ChakkarathAzhvaar.

NammAzhvaar Praise

NammAzhvaar praises the Lord saying all the difficulties will go away if one just goes around Kaalamegha Perumal once.

Wanting to see the Lord churning the ocean to secure the nectar, Sage Palasthiyar undertook penance here. Pleased with his prayers, Lord appeared before him and gave him darshan. Hence there is a separate sannidhi for the Lord as ‘Thirupaarkadal Naathan’.

Shiva was attracted to the Lord in the Mohini form and wanted to embrace her. Hence, Lord Vishnu actually created another Mohini here at this place.

Another feature here is that Lord Adiseshan is fully adorned with gold ornaments.

Bus : From Madurai Maatuthaavani Bus stand, one can take the Melur bus and get down at Othakadai stop (about 3 kms). From OthaKadai, one can either take a mini bus / share auto (2kms to Mogur) or an auto - Rs. 30.

Place to Stay : Best to stay in Madurai (College House, Hotel Supreme, Madurai Residency)